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Amtrak Police Officer Shoots Man Near Union Station

CHICAGO (CBS) — An Amtrak police officer shot and wounded a 25-year-old man late Wednesday night in the West Loop near Union Station.

Sources said the Amtrak officer confronted two suspects near Van Buren and Canal streets, about a block south of Union Station, around 8:45 p.m. The officer opened fire after one of the two men appeared to reach for a weapon.

Amtrak officials confirmed one of their police officers shot a suspect.

Chicago police were investigating the shooting, but referred all questions to Amtrak officials, who have said little about what led up to the shooting.

The brother of the man who was shot said they had just gotten off a bus when an Amtrak officer ordered them to stand against a wall. The brother said the officer never showed a badge, so the 25-year-old – who was carrying a lot of cash from their trip – took off running, fearing he was about to be robbed by a fake cop.

As he was running away, the officer shot him in the shoulder. His brother said the officer might have fired his weapon accidentally, because he swore loudly after firing a single shot.

He also said his brother might have been struck by a vehicle before collapsing to the street. Paramedics took the 25-year-old to Stroger Hospital, where his condition was stabilized Thursday morning.

His relatives said they have not been allowed to speak with him. They were waiting to consult an attorney Thursday morning.

Amtrak says Chicago police are now handling the investigation.

Chicago police say they recovered cash and drugs from the man who was shot. Sources say the man had two bags of what appeared to be marijuana.